Khloe Kardashian separated from the basketball player last year following rumours he cheated on her and was abusing hardcore drugs like crack cocaine.

And now TMZ is reporting the recent home robberies Khloé and her sister Kourtney suffered may be related to Odom's substance use.

Apparently the athlete has owed around US$55,000 to multiple drug dealers since at least September 2013. It is claimed he justified not paying his debtors because some of the purported crack he smoked was "wack".

The star recently signed on to play ball for Spanish team Saski Baskonia and it is rumoured he neglected to pay his debt before flying to Europe.

And this lack of remuneration on money owed is said to have angered his substance sellers to the point of orchestrating a highly engineered heist on both Kardashian's property and the former marital home Omar shared with the reality TV star.

According to the website, the dealers sent "threatening" messages to Omar, promising they would retaliate by breaking into his home.

The theft was discovered at Kardashian's place on Monday and investigators have yet to nab the suspects, who have lifted an estimated $250,000 worth of items from the Tarzana, California residence. And about $50,000 cash was allegedly swiped from Kardashian's home in February.

Law enforcement sources told The Los Angeles Times there were no signs of forced entry, which suggests these crimes were an inside job.

Sources tell TMZ Odom's former drug dealers may have "had connections to someone who works for the family and had lawful access to the house".